The Rotherham United striker completed his season-long loan move to the Iron on Friday, and looked set to make his debut at the Sands Venue Stadium the following day.

But the 27-year-old was a notable absentee from the matchday squad as United’s wait for a first win of the season continued.

Ryan Loft’s second half strike proved to be enough to separate the two sides, with the Iron failing to make the most of a dominant performance up until the goal.

On Proctor’s absence, Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside: “I expected him to be available, and then he wasn’t. He wasn’t registered in time.

“I just got told in the afternoon that, basically, he wasn’t registered. That changes your outlook and your thoughts on what the team is going to be.

Jamie Proctor signed for Scunthorpe United on a season-long loan from Rotherham United. (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“Who knows what could have happened, but we could have certainly done with him out on the pitch.

“Would it have been different? I don’t know. The game might have been totally different if we’d started with a different shape, we might not have nullified them as much as we did, but it was a big disappointment not to have him.”

Asked where the fault had occurred, Hurst added: “I think it’s the league, but I don’t know. All I know is I was planning to have him available, and then I was told that I wouldn’t.